Battle of Revolax facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Revolax |
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| Part of the Finnish War | |||||||
 Anfallet vid Revolaks, by August Malmström |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Sweden |
 Russian Empire |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Carl Johan Adlercreutz Johan Adam Cronstedt |
Michail Leontievich Bulatov |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 2,400 | 1,500–1,700 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 130 killed, wounded or captured | 500–600 killed, wounded or captured | ||||||
The Battle of Revolax (Finnish: Revonlahden taistelu) was an important fight during the Finnish War. It happened on April 27, 1808, in a place called Revonlahti, which is now part of Siikajoki in Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland.
In this battle, about 2,250 Swedish soldiers, led by their top commander Wilhelm Mauritz Klingspor and Colonel Johan Adam Cronstedt, surprised a group of around 1,700 Russian soldiers. The Russian group was led by Major General Michail Leontievich Bulatov. The Swedes surrounded the Russian troops. The Russians tried to break free, but they couldn't. Their general, Bulatov, was captured by the Swedes.
This battle, along with the Battle of Siikajoki nine days earlier, was very important. They were the first victories for Sweden after about two months of retreating. The next battle in this war happened at Pulkkila on May 1st.
Starting the Counter-Attack
After their win at the Battle of Siikajoki, the Swedish commander Klingspor kept moving his troops back towards Oulu. The Russian army followed them closely. A group of Russian soldiers, led by Bulatov, had set up camp in the village of Revonlahti.
Colonel Cronstedt planned an attack to push the Russians out. He led about 1,800 soldiers through the night of April 26th and 27th. The Swedes could hear gunshots to the north. This was where another Swedish commander, Adlercreutz, was fighting a Russian unit that was trying to advance. Adlercreutz managed to stop them.
Cronstedt and his 4th Brigade got ready for the fight the next day. Bulatov and his Russian soldiers were dug in for defense inside the village. The Russian units included soldiers from the Mogilev and Perm Regiments. They also had three cannons.
On the morning of April 27th, the Swedes attacked. They split into two equally strong groups. The group on the right was led by Gustav Aminoff. It had two battalions from the Savolax Infantry Regiment, a battalion from the Savolax Jaeger Regiment, a battalion from the Carelian Jaeger Corps, and two small cannons. The group on the left was led by Lieutenant Colonel Adolf Ludwig Christiern. It also had two battalions from the Savolax Infantry Regiment, a battalion from the Savolax Jaegar Regiment, a battalion from the Carelian Jaeger Corps, and two small cannons.
The Fight for the Village
The right Swedish group quickly pushed back all the Russian defenders. They moved along the river towards the village. At the same time, the left group got ready to attack the vicarage. This was where General Bulatov had set up his headquarters. Most of his troops were gathered there.
Attacking the vicarage was very difficult. The Russians fought back fiercely. But the Swedes finally stormed the building at 10 a.m. A very intense hand-to-hand fight happened inside.
When the fighting finally stopped, more than 94 Swedish soldiers had been killed, wounded, or captured. The Russians suffered much heavier losses, with between 500 and 600 soldiers killed, wounded, or captured.
The Swedish victory at Revolax marked the end of their retreat. Klingspor, who was usually a very careful leader, decided to act boldly. He ordered a counter-offensive, meaning they would now attack the Russians and push them back south. The Savolax Brigade, which included Cronstedt's men, would continue to fight hard in southern Finland. Another newly formed Swedish brigade would also start fighting in eastern Finland. The Swedish counter-attack had begun, and it would continue through the entire summer of 1808.
See also
